Container closure



p 1936- B. F. CONNER ET AL 7 2,054,031

CONTAINER CLQSURE Original Filed March 24, 1934 [HI/En i 02"5 Benjamin FCaz 7n 51 M X jam F Sahma/z Patented Sept. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFHE CONTAINER CLOSURE Application March 24, 1934, Serial No. 717,192Renewed January 27, 1936 41 Claims.

This invention relates particularly to container closures having readilybreakable portions which are necessarily broken before the container canbe unsealed to permit access to or discharge of the contents thereof. Adevice of this character when properly put in place on a containerserves, so long as it remains unbroken, as a definite indication to theultimate consumer and to each intermediate distributor or dealer whohandles the package that the original contents are intact and that therehas been no substitution or adulteration. Closure devices embodying theinvention are applicable to containers of various types, and they may beused to protect various commodities, whether liquid or otherwise, suchas beverages, medicines, cosmetics, food products, lubricating oils,etc.

In accordance with the present invention there is a readily breakableindicator member which may be formed to also constitute a closure forthe container. Preferably there is an inner or primary closure whichserves to close the mouth of the container and to prevent the escape ofthe contents, and a separate outer sealing or indicator member whichencloses or partly encloses the primary closure. The readily breakableindicator member, whether separate from the the primary closure orotherwise, is preformed and is adapted to be put in place on thecontainer without substantial change in size or shape, and it is to bedistinguished from various devices of the prior artconsisting of sheetmetal or paper or fabric or other material adapted to be crimped orfolded or shrunk or otherwise put into place by a change in size orshape. Associated with the readily breakable indicator member is a rigidrelatively movable device which, upon movement of the indicator memberin the opening or unsealing direction, is relatively moved in such a wayas to cause the breaking of a portion of the indicator member. A brokenindicator member serves as a definite warning to anyone handling thepackage that the container may have been opened and the contentstampered with. The ultimate consumer or any distributor or'dealer, byrefusing to accept a package having the indicator thereof br :cn, canthereby be certain that he is obtaining the original contents of thepackage as shown by the trade mark or label or other marking thereon.

The structures herein disclosed and embodying the present invention areto be regarded as alternative embodiments of the broader inventiondisclosed and claimed in our copending applica-v tion for Containerclosure means, Serial No. 723,865 filed May 4, 1934. In the accompanyingdrawing there are shown three somewhat different embodiments of the T apart of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a container closure embodying theinvention, the closure being in place on a bottle which is shown inelevation.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the sealing closure with the movable rollers inplace thereon.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the indicating member or outer closure.

Fig. 4 is a developed circular sectional view taken along the line 4--4of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the indicator member or outerclosure turned slightly in the unscrewing or opening direction so as tobreak the upper portion thereof.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing an alternativeembodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing another alternativeembodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary developed circular sectional view taken alongthe line B-8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showingthe indicator member or outer closure turned slightly in the openingdirection to cause the 3 breaking of the top thereof.

Referring to the drawing, particularly Figs. 1 to 5, l represents acontainer with which the closure means embodying the invention may beused, the said container having a mouth or opening 2. The container isshown as being a glass bottle, but it will be understood that theinvention is not so limited and that a closure means embodying theinvention may be used with a wide variety of containers. For instance,the container l, instead of being a glass bottle, may be a metalreceptacle, such as a can or barrel, having projecting metallic partsfor engaging the closure means.

The sealing or indicator member is represented at 3, and it is shown asbeing a complete closure entirely covering the opening 2 in thecontainer. A means is provided for normally guiding the said membereither in the direction to assemble it with the container or in thedirection to separate it therefrom. As shown, the construction is suchthat the indicator member, after being engaged, is restrained frommoving directly upward or outward away from the container althoughrelative rotative movement is permitted. Preferably this guiding andrestraining means consists of an internal thread 4 on the indicatormember adapted to engage an external thread 5 on the container. Theindicator member 3 has an externally visible portion which is adapted tobe readily broken or separated from the remaincler of the member. Asshown this readily breakable or separable portion is at the top, asindicated at 5, being connected with the main body of the indicatormember by an annular zone of weakness shown at I.

The indicator member 3 may be formed of any one of a variety ofmaterials, but it is preferred to mold the said member from a materialof the synthetic resin class. Such a material is somewhat brittle and isreadily breakable when provided with a sufficiently thin zone ofweakness such as that at I, and it has the further advantages that it isavailable in a variety of colors and can be readily molded to provideany desired external ornamental design.

Associated with the readily breakable indicator portion 6 of the member3 is at least one rigid relatively movable breaking device andpreferably there are two or more such devices. The

indicator member 3 whether threaded or otherwise is movable in oppositedirections on to and off from the container. There are preferablyprovided in association with each breaking device, surfaces whichconverge in the one of the directions of movement of the indicatormember with respect to the container. When the indicator member is inthreaded engagement with the container it must obviously be separatedtherefrom by a rotary unscrewing movement as guided by the threads, andthe said surfaces therefore converge in one direction of rotarymovement. With a threaded indicator member one of the surfaces,ordinarily that on the indicator member or closure, is horizontal, andthe other surface, ordinarily that carried by the container, isinclined.

When there are converging surfaces as described, each breaking deviceengages directly with both of them, and is so constructed that, uponmovement of the indicator member or closure in the said separatingdirection, relative movement is effected between the breaking device andat least one of the said two converging surfaces. The result of thisrelative movement is that the indicator portion of the indicator memberis broken by the breaking device or devices. When one of the surfaces ishorizontal, as is preferred, relative movement is effectedbetween thebreaking device and the surface which is inclined, and it is therelative movement along the incline which causes the breaking.

Preferably, whether converging surfaces are or are not provided, eachbreaking device is movable relatively to both the indicator member andthe container. As shown, each breaking device is in the form of a narrowdisc or roller 8 and preferably there are two such discs or rollerspositioned oppositely. The discs or rollers 8, 8 engage at their topswith a horizontal surface in the form of a circular track 9 on thebottom of the indicator portion 6, and they engage at their bottoms withinclined surfaces in the form of cam paths II], III carried by thecontainer. It will be observed that the track 9 and. each cam path I0converge in the direction of unscrewing movement.

While the invention is not necessarily so limited, the cam paths II],II] are shown as being formed on a closure II which serves as theprimary means for closing the container. The closure II may be of anyone of a variety of types, but it is shown as being of the cap type andas having an internal thread I2 engaging an external thread I3 on thecontainer I adjacent the opening 2. For a purpose to be presently setforth, the thread I3 preferably has a considerably larger lead than thethread 5. The closure cap II may also be molded from a material of thesynthetic resin class, and it is provided with a gasket or liner I 4which engages the top of the container or bottle to seal it in the usualmanner.

When there is an inner or primary closure such as I I, it is notnecessary that the indicator memher 3 be a complete closure as shown.Instead of being a complete closure, the member 3 may have an opening atthe top to expose more or less of the inner closure I I. It isessential, however, that the indicator member 3 shall at least partlycover the closure i I, so as to prevent the removal thereof while theindicator member is in place and intact.

When a primary closure such as I I is provided the cam paths Ill, I6 arepreferably formed at the bottom of arcuate grooves I5, I 5 in the top ofthe closure. The lead of the cam paths I0, I0 is considerably greaterthan that of the thread 5. At the lower end of each cam path I 0 is ashoulder It with which the corresponding roller 8 normally engages.Preferably the rollers 8, 8 are peripherally serrated and correspondingteeth or serrations are formed on the track 9. Similar teeth orserrations are formed on the cam paths Ill, I0, but preferably theserrations are omitted at the extreme lower portion of the cam paths, asclearly indicated in Fig. 4.

In using the closure means shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the bottle orcontainer is filled in any usual or preferred manner, and the innerclosure II is put in place in accordance with usual practice.

proaches its final position the rollers 8 are engaged by the serrationson the track 9 and they are turned in the counter-clockwise direction asindicated. Inasmuch as there are no serrations at the lower ends of thegrooves I5, I5 the rollers can turn as indicated, but they do not turnfreely as the teeth thereon tend to bite into the surfaces on theshoulders I6, I S and at the bottoms of the grooves. Thus the rollers 8,8 tend to additionally turn the main closure ii in the tighteningdirection. This is an important feature, as the indicating memberoiouter closure while being screwed into place thus tends to eliminate anypossible looseness of the inner or sealing closure. Ordinarily the inneror primary closure is screwed into place with considerable force, but

any defect or omission in this respect will be corrected when theindicator member is tightened.

It is to be furthermore observed that the rollers 8, 8 serve to lockboth the closure II and the indicator member 3 so as to prevent anyaccidental loosening of either of them by vibration or otherwise. Therollers are engaged with the serrations on the track 9 of the indicatormember and they are also firmly engaged with the surfaces on theshoulders l6, I6 and at the bottoms of the grooves l5, E5 of theclosure. Any unscrewing movement of the closure relatively to theindicator member is positively prevented; and any unscrewing movement ofthe indicator member relatively to the closure could occur only byforcing the rollers to roll upward along the cam paths it, ill.Furthermore on account of the difference in lead between the threads l3and 5 the closure and the indicator member are prevented from turning inunison in the unscrewing direction. Any tendency for them to so turnwould be resisted by the increased upward pressure exerted by theclosure against the rollers 8, 8.

When it is desired to open the container the indicating member or outerclosure 3 is moved in the direction to separate it from the container;and when the indicating member is held and guided by a thread as shown,it is separated from the container by being turned in the opening orunscrewing direction. This causes the rollers 8 to roll upward along thecam surfaces It as indicated in Fig. 5. Inasmuch as the lead of the camsurfaces Ill, Ill is greater than that of the thread 5 the rollers 8, 8exert a constantly increasing pressure against the top indicator portion6, with the result that the said portion is broken or separated at thebefore-1nentioncd zone of weakness 1. After the portion 6 has beenbroken away the remainder of the indicator member 3 can be removed andthen the closure I! can be removed in the usual way.

It will be understood that the closure ii is normally screwed so tightlyin place on the container that it cannot move in the unscrewingdirection by the action of the rollers 8, 8. However, in the event thatthe closure II should be so loose as to tend to turn with the indicatormember 3, breaking of the indicator portion 6 would nevertheless occuras the result of the difference in lead between the threads l3 and 5. Ifthe closure H and the member 3 were to turn in unison, the said closurewould risefaster than the said member 3, with the result that the topindicator portion 6 would be forced upward and broken out.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that it is entirelyimpossible to obtain access to the contents of the container I withoutfirst breaking out the indicator portion 6 of the member 3. With thisindicator portion broken out the consumer, or in fact anyone elsehandling the package, will know or at least have reason to suspect thatthe contents of the container have been tampered with, and he shouldrefuse to accept the package. Thus by refusing to accept any package onwhich the indicator member is not intact, the consumer can positivelyprotect himself against adulteration or substitution of the contents ofthe container.

The construction shown in Figs. 6 is in many respects similar to thatshown in Figs. 1 to 5, but in order to illustrate the fact that theindicator member need not be a complete closure there is shown anindicator member I! having a large opening at the top to expose a partof the primary closure Hi. It will be observed that the indicator memberI1, while not completely covering the closure 58, nevertheless serves solong as in place and intact to prevent removal of the said closure. Theopening at the top of the member I! is optional, and if preferred thetop may be entirely closed.

The rollers 59, i9 corresponding to the rollers 8, 8 are positioned incam grooves at the sides of the closure 58 instead of at the topthereof. The indicator member i1 is formed with a track at 28 positionedto engage the rollers l5, E9. The

breakable top indicator portion 2i of the member breaking out of theindicator portion 2! and on account of the different leads of thethreads this breaking would occur even though the closure and memberwere turned in unison.

In Figs. 7 to 9 there is shown a construction which is similar to thatshown in Figs. 1 to 5 with the exception that tiltable pins 23, .23 areprovided in lieu of the rollers 8, 8. The indicator member or outerclosure 24 is or may be identical in construction with the closure 3,and is provided with a breakable or separable top indicator portion 25.The primary closure 26 is or may be similar to the primary closure Hwith the eX- ception that instead of being formed with the long camgrooves it is formed with narrow recesses 2?, 2? adapted to hold thetiltable pins 23, 23 in inclined positions as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.When the indicator member or outer closure 26 is turned in thetightening direction, as indicated in Fig. 8, the serrations thereonwill ride over the tops of the pins 23, 23 until further relativerotation is impossible. With the pins in this position, as shown in Fig.8, they serve to lock the closure 26 and the indicator member 24 inplace. connection with Figs. 1 to 5, accidental loosening of either theclosure or the indicator member prevented.

To effect opening, the indicator member or outer closure 26 is forciblymoved in the opening or unscrewing direction, and thereupon each of thepins 23 moves from the inclined position shown'in Fig. 8 toward theupright position shown in Fig. 9 with the result that the top indicatorportion 25 is forced upward and is broken away from the remainder of themember 24. If the main closure 2b should be loose and should start toturn in unison with the member 24 the top indicator portion 25 wouldnevertheless be broken out by reason of the different leads of thethreads as already explained in connection with Figs. 1 to 5.

What we claim is:

1. A package comprising in combination, a container having an opening, aclosure normally completely covering the opening and having an integralportion constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator,a rigid relatively movable device interposed between the container andthe indicator portion of the closure and directly engaging the latter,and means carried by the container and engaging the said movable devicefor causing it to move relatively to both the container and the closurewhen the closure is moved in a direction to separate it from For thereasons already explained in g the container, the said device as theresult of so moving serving to break the indicator portion of theclosure.

2. A package comprising in combination, an externally threaded containerhaving an opening, an internally threaded closure normally engaging thecontainer thread and completely covering the container opening andhaving an integral portion constituting an externally visible readilybreakable indicator, a rigid relatively movable device interposedbetween the container and the indicator portion of the closure anddirectly engaging the latter, and means carried by the container andengaging the said movable device for causing it to move relatively toboth the container and the closure when the closure is turned in theunscrewing direction, the said device as the result of so moving servingto break the indicator portion of the closure.

3. In combination, a closure adapted to normally close a containeropening, a rigid relatively movable device adapted to directly engagethe closure, an externally visible readily breakable indicator memberadapted to cover and engage 1e said movable device and to at leastpartly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof while the indicatormember is in place and unbroken, and means formed on the closure and onthe indicator member for causing the movable device to move relativelyto both the closure and the indicator member when the latter is moved ina direction to separate it from the 010- sure and for causing the saiddevice as the result of so moving to break a portion of the indicatormember.

4. In combination, a threaded closure adapted to normally close acontainer opening, an externally visible readily breakable indicatormember adapted to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removalthereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, meansadapted to normally prevent outward movement of the indicator memberrelative to the closure while permitting relative rotative movement, anda rigid device adapted to interengage between the closure and a portionof the indicator member and adapted to move relatively to both theclosure and the indicator member when the latter is turned in thedirection to unscrew the closure and serving as the result of so movingto break a portion of the indicator member.

5. In combination, a primary closure adapted to normally close acontainer opening, an externally visible readily breakable indicatormember having a thread by which it is normally held in place and beingadapted to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereofwhile the indicator member is in place and unbroken, and a rigid deviceadapted to interengage between the primary closure and a portion of theindicator member and adapted to move relatively to both the closure andthe indicator member when the latter is turned in the direction tounscrew it and serving as the result of so moving to break a portion ofthe indicator member.

6. In combination, a primary closure adapted to normally close acontainer opening, an externally visible readily breakable indicatormember adapted to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removalthereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, means fornormally connecting the indicator member with the container to preventoutward movement and permit rotative movement relative thereto, and arigid device adapted. to interengage between the closure and a portionof the indicator member and adapted to move relatively to both theclosure and the indicator member when the latter is turned relatively tothe closure and serving as the result of so moving to break a portion ofthe indicator member.

7. In combination, a closure adapted to norreally close a containeropening, an externally visible readily breakable threaded indicatormember adapted to be freely engaged with a thread on the container andadapted to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereofwhile the indicator member is in place and unbroken, and a rigid deviceadapted to interengage between the closure and a portion of theindicator member and adapted to move relatively to both the closure andthe indicator member When the latter is turned in the direction tounscrew it and serving as the result of so moving to break a portion ofthe indicator member.

8. In combination, a threaded closure adapted to normally engage athread on a container to close the opening thereof, an externallyvisible readily breakable indicator member having a thread with asmaller lead than that on the 010- sure and adapted to normally engage acorresponding thread of smaller lead on the container, the saidindicator member being adapted to at east partly cover the closure toprevent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place andunbroken, and a rigid relatively movable device adapted to interengagebetween the closure and a portion of the indicator member and adapted tomove relatively to both the closure and the indicator member so as tobreak a portion of the latter when it is turned in the unscrewingdirection independently of the closure, the said movable device servingby reason of the smaller lead of the thread on the indicator member toalso cause the breaking of a portion of the said member in the eventthat the closure and indicator member turn in unison.

9. A package comprising in combination, a container having an openingand an adjacent external thread and also having another thread below thefirst thread with a smaller lead, a threaded closure engaging the firstsaid thread and sealing the opening, an externally visible readilybreakable indicator member having a thread engaging the second saidthread on the U closure, the said indicator member at least partlycovering the closure to prevent removal thereof while the said member isin place and unbroken, and a rigid relatively movable deviceinterengaged between the closure and a portion of the indicator member,the last said device being movable relatively to both the closure andthe indicator member so as to break a portion of the latter when it isturned in the unscrewing direction independently of the closure and thesaid ble readily breakable indicator, the said container F carrying andthe said indicator portion being formed with adjacent surfaces whichconverge, and a device positioned in the space between the twoconverging surfaces and engaging both of them whereby relative movementis eflected between the said device and at least one of the said twoconverging surfaces during movement of the closure in the separatingdirection and. the said device serves as the result of such relativemovement to break the indicator closure.

11. A package comprising in combination, an externally threadedcontainer having an opening, an internally threaded closure normallyengag' ing the container thread and completely covering the containeropening and having an integral portion constituting an externallyvisible readily breakable indicator, the said container carrying and thesaid indicator portion being formed with adjacent surfaces one of whichis horizontal and the other of which converges toward the horizontalsurface, and a device positioned in the space between the two convergingsurfaces and engaging both of them whereby the said device serves uponunscrewing movement of the closure to move along the second said surfaceand to thereby break the indicator portion of the closure.

12. A package comprising in combination, an externally threadedcontainer having an opening, an internally threaded closure normallyengaging the container threads and completely covering the containeropening and having an integral portion constituting an externallyvisible readily breakable indicator, the said indicator portion of theclosure being formed with a horizontal surface and the said containercarrying a surface adjacent the said horizontal surface and convergingtoward it in the direction of unscrewing rotation of the closure, and adevice posi-' tioned in the space between the two converging surfacesand'engaging both of them, the said device serving upon unscrewingmovement oi" the closure to move along the surface carried by thecontainer and to thereby break the indicator portion of the closure.

13. The combination of a closure adapted to normally close a containeropening, an externally visible readily breakable indicator memberadapted to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereofwhile the indicator member is in place and unbroken, the said closureand the said indicator portion of the indicator member being providedwith adjacent surfaces which converge, and a device positioned in thespace between the two converging surfaces and engaging both of themwhereby relative movement is effected between the said device and atleast one of the said two converging surfaces during movement of theindicator member in the separating direction and the said device servesas the result of such relative movement to break the indicator portionof the said member. j

14. The combination of .a closure adapted to normally close a containeropening, an internally threaded readily breakable indicator memberadapted to engage an external thread on the container and to at leastpartly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof while the indicatormember is in place and unbroken, the said closure and the said indicatormember being formed with adjacent surfaces one of which is horizontaland the other of which converges toward the horizontal surface, and adevice positioned in the space between the two converging surfaces andengaging both of them whereby the said device serves upon unscrewingmovement of the indicator member to move along the second said surfaceand to thereby break the indicator member.

portion of the 15. The combination of a closure adapted to normallyclose a container opening, an internally threaded readily breakabieindicator member adapted to engage an internal thread on the containerand to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereofwhile the indicator member is in place and unbroken, the said indicatormember being formed with a horizontal surface and the said closure beingformed with a surface adjacent the said horizontal surface andconverging toward it in the direction of unscrewing rotation of theindicator member, and a device positioned in the space between the twoconverging surfaces and engaging both of them, the said device servingupon unscrewing movement of the indicator member to move along the saidsurface on the closure andto thereby break the indicator member.

16. A package comprising in combination, a container having an opening,a closure normally completely covering the opening and having anintegral portion at the top constituting an externally visible readilybreakable indicator, a rigid relatively movable device within theclosure and directly engaging the top indicator portion thereof, andmeans carried by the container and engaging the said movable device forcausing it to move relatively to both the container and the closure whenthe closure is moved in a direction to separate it from the container,the said device as the result of so moving serving to break theindicator portion of the closure.

1'7. In combination, a primary closure adapted to normally close acontainer opening, a rigid relatively movable device adapted to directlyengage the closure at the top thereof, an outer closure adapted tocompletely cover the primary closure and having an integral top portionconstituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, the saidouter closure when in place and unbroken being adapted to cover andengage the said movable device and to prevent removal of the primaryclosure, and means formed on the two closures for causing the movabledevice to move relatively to both of them when the outer closure ismoved in a direction to separate it from the primary closure and forcausing the said device as the result of so moving to break the topindicator portion of the outer closure.

18. In combination, a primary closure adapted to normally close acontainer opening, a threaded outer closure adapted to be freely engagedwith a thread on the container and adapted to entirely cover the primaryclosure, the said outer closure having an integral top portionconstituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, and arigid relatively movable device adapted to interengage between theprimary closure and the top indicator portion of the outer closure, thelast said device being adapted to move-relatively to both closures whenthe outer closure is turned in the direction to unscrew it and servingas the result of so moving to break the-top indicator portion of theouter closure.

19. A package comprising in combination, a container having an openingand having an adjacent external closure engaging thread and also havinganother thread with a smaller lead below the first'said thread, athreaded primary closure engaging the first said thread on the containerand closing the opening thereof, a threaded outer closure engaging thesecond said thread on the container and entirely covering the closingclosure, the said outer closure having an integral central top portionconstituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, and arigid relatively movable device interengagcd between the closing closureand the indicator portion of the outer closure and movable relatively toboth of the closures so as to break the indicator portion of the outerclosure when the latter is turned in the unscrewing directionindependently of the closing closure, the said movable device serving byreason of the smaller lead of the thread on the outer closure to causethe breaking of the indicator portion thereof in the event that bothclosures turn in unison.

.20. A package comprising in combination, an externally threadedcontainer having an opening, an internally threaded closure normallyengaging the container threads and completely covering the containeropening and having an integral portion at the top above the threadconstituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator, the saidcontainer carrying and the said indicator portion being formed withadjacent surfaces one of which is horizontal and the other of whichconverges toward the horizontal, and a device positioned in the spacebetween the 7 two converging surfaces and engaging both of them wherebythe said device serves "upon unscrewing movement of the closure to movealong the second said surface and to thereby break the top indicatorportion of the closure.

21. The combination of a closure adapted to normally close a containeropening, an internally threaded readily breakable indicator memberadapted to engage an internal thread on the container and to at leastpartly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof while the indicatormember is in place and unbroken, the said closure and the said indicatormember being formed at the top with adjacent external and internalsurfaces, one of which is horizontal and the other of which convergestoward the horizontal surface, and a device positioned in the spacebetween the two converging surfaces and engaging both of them wherebythe said device serves upon unscrewing movement of the indicator memberto move along the second said surface and to thereby break the topportion of the indicator member.

22. A package comprising in combination, a container having an opening,a closure normally completely covering the opening and having anintegral portion constituting an externally visible readily breakableindicator, the said container carrying and the said indicator portionbeing formed with adjacent surfaces which converge, and a rollerpositioned in the space between the two converging surfaces and engagingboth of them whereby the said roller rolls along both of the said twoconverging surfaces during move-- ment of the closure in the saidseparating direction and serves as the result of such rolling movementto break the indicator portion of the closure.

23. A package comprising in combination, a container having an opening,a closure normally completely covering the opening and having anintegral portion constituting an externally visible readily breakableindicator, means for preventing outward movement of the closure relativeto the container while permitting relative rotative movement, arelatively movable roller interposed between the container and theindicator portion of the closure and directly engaging the latter, andan inclined cam path carried by the container and engaging the saidroller for causing it to roll along the cam path relatively to both thecontainer and the closure when the closure is rotated relatively to thecontainer. the said roller upon so rolling along the cam path serving tobreak the indicator portion of the closure.

24. A package comprising in combination, an externally threadedcontainer having an opening, an internally threaded closure normallyengaging the container thread and completely covering the containeropening and having an integral portion constituting an externallyvisible readily breakable indicator, the said container carrying and thesaid indicator portion being formed with adjacent surfaces, one of whichis horizontal and the other of which converges toward the horizontalsurface, and a roller positioned in the space between the two convergingsurfaces and engaging both of them whereby the said roller rolls alongboth of the said two converging surfaces during unscrewing movement ofthe closure and serves as the result of such rolling movement to breakthe indicator portion of the closure.

25. A package comprising in combination, an externally threadedcontainer having an opening, an internally threaded closure normallyengaging the container thread and completely covering the containeropening and having an integral portion constituting an externallyvisible readily breakable indicator, the said indicator portion beingformed with a horizontal arcuate track and the said container carryingan inclined arcuate cam path-or track which converges toward thehorizontal track on the indicator portion in the direction of unscrewingrotation of the closure, and a roller positioned in the space betweenthe two converging tracks and engaging both of them, the said rollerrolling along both of the said two converging tracks during unscrewingmovement of the closure and serving as the result of such rollingmovement to break the indicator portion of the closure.

2.6. In combination, a closure adapted to normally close a containeropening and having an inclined cam path thereon, a relatively movableroller device adapted to directly engage the cam path on the closure,and an externally visible readily breakable indicator member adapted tocover .and engage the said roller and to at least partly cover theclosure to prevent removal thereof while the indicator member is inplace and unbroken, the said indicator member when moved in a directionto separate it from the closure causing the roller to roll along theinclined cam path and to thus break a portion of the indicator member.

27. In combination, a closure adapted to normally close .a containeropening, an externally visible readily breakable indicator memberadapted to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereofwhile the indicator member is in place and unbroken, the said indicatormember being rotatable with respect to the closure and the said closureand indicator member being provided respectively with adjacent arcuatetracks one of which is horizontal and the other of which convergestoward the horizontal track, means for preventing direct upward movementof the indicator member while permitting the said rotary movementthereof, and a roller positioned in the space between the two convergingtracks and engaging both of them, the said roller rolling along both ofthe said converging tracks during rotary movement of the indicatormember in one direction and serving as the result of such rollingmovement to break the said indicator member.

28. In combination, a primary closure adapted to normally close acontainer opening, a threaded outer closure having an integral topportion constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicator,the said primary closure and the top indicator portion of the outerclosure being provided respectively with adjacent arcuate tracks one ofwhich is horizontal and the other of which converges toward thehorizontal track, and a roller positioned in the space between the twoconverging tracks and engaging both of them whereby the said rollerrolls along both of the said converging tracks during unscrewingmovement of the outer closure and serving as the result of such rollingmovement to break the said top indicator portion of the outer closure.

29. In combination, a closure adapted to normally close a containeropening, an externally visible readily breakable threaded indicatormember adapted to at least partly cover the closure to pr vent removalthereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, the saidclosure and indicator member being provided respectively with adjacentarcuate tracks one of which is horizontal and the other of whichconverges toward the horizontal track and the track on the closure beingat the bottom of a groove in the top thereof, and a roller positioned inpart in the said groove and engaging both of the said converging trackswhereby the said roller rolls along both of the said converging tracksduring unscrewing move ment of the outer closure and serves as theresult of such rolling movement to break the said top indicator portionof the outer closure.

30. In combination, a closure adapted to normally close a containeropening and having a curved upward inclined cam path thereon, anexternally visible readily breakable indicator member having a threadfor normally holding it in place which thread has a lead less than thatof the cam path on the closure, the said indicator member being adaptedto at least partly cover the closure to prevent removal thereof Whilethe indicator member is in place and unbroken, and a roller adapted tointerengage between the cam path on the closure and a portion of theindicator member, the said roller being caused to roll upward along thecam path when the indicator member is turned in the direction to unscrewit and thereupon serving by reason of the greater lead of the cam pathto break a, portion of the indicator member.

31. A package comprising in combination, a container having an openingand an external thread and also having second thread with a smaller leadbelow the first thread, a threaded closure engaging the first saidthread and closing the opening, the said closure being provided with acurved upward inclined cam path with a lead greater than that of thesecond thread of smaller lead, an externally visible readily breakableindicator member having a thread engaging the second said thread on theclosure, the said indicator member at least partly covering the closureto prevent removal thereof while the said member is in place andunbroken, and a roller adapted to interengage between the cam path onthe closure and a portion of the indicator member which roller is causedto roll upward along the cam path when the indicator member is turned inthe direction to unscrew it and thereupon serving by reason of thegreater lead of the cam path to break a portion of the indicator member.

32. In combination, a threaded primary closure adapted to normallyengage a thread on a container to close the opening thereof, the saidclosure being provided with a curved upward inclined cam path and ashoulder at the lower end of the cam path, an externally visible readilybreakable indicator member adapted to at least partly cover the closureto prevent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place andunbroken, and a roller adapted to interengage between the cam path onthe primary closure and the said indicator member, the said roller beingforced against the shoulder of the primary closure when the indicatormember is turned in the tightening direction and thus tending to turnthe primary closure in the tightening direction and the said rollerbeing caused to roll upward along the cam path when the indicator memberis turned in the unscrewing direction and thereupon serving to break theindicator member.

In combination, a threaded primary closure adapted to normally engage athread on a container to close the opening thereof, the said closurebeing provided with a curved upward inclined cam path and a shoulder atthe lower end of the cam path, a threaded outer closure adapted tonormally engage a thread on the container and adapted to completelycover the primary closure, the said outer closure having an integral topportion constituting an externally visible readily breakable indicatormember, and a roller adapted to interengage between the cam path on theprimary closure and the indicator portion of the outer closure, the saidroller being forced against the shoulder of the primary closure when theouter closure is turned in the tightening direction and thus tending toturn the primary closure in the tightening direction and the said rollerbeing caused to roll upward along the cam path when the outer closure isturned in the unscrewing direction and thereupon serving to break theindicator portion of the outer closure.

34. A primary container closure adapted to normally close a containeropening and adapted for use in conjunction with a preformed outerindicator member having a readily breakable integral portion at the top,the said primary closure being provided at the top with an arcuate trackhaving teeth thereon and adapted to engage a roller for breaking thereadily breakable top portion of the indicator member.

35. A primary container closure adapted to normally close a containeropening and adapted for use in conjunction with a preformed outerindicator member having a readily breakable integral portion at the top,the said primary closure being provided at the top with an inclinedarcuate track adapted to engage a roller for breaking the readilybreakable top portion of the indicator member.

36. A primary container closure adapted to normally close a containeropening and adapted for use in conjunction with a preformed outerindicator member having a readily breakable integral portion at the top,the said primary closure being provided at the top with an arcuategroove having at the bottom thereof a track adapted to engage a rollerfor breaking the readily breakable top portion of the indicator member.

37. A primary container closure adapted to normally close a containeropening and adapted for use in conjunction with a preformed outerindicator member having a readily breakable integral portion at the top,the said primary closure being provided at the top with an arcuategroove having at the bottom thereof an inclined track having teeththereon and adapted to engage a roller for breaking the readilybreakable top portion of the indicator member.

38. A package comprising in combination, a

container having an opening, a closure normally completely covering theopening and having an integral portion constituting an externallyvisible readily breakable indicator, a rigid relatively tiltable pininterposed between the container and the indicator portion of theclosure and directly engaging the latter. and means carried by thecontainer and engaging the pin to normally hold it in an inclinedposition, the said pin by reason of its engagement with the indicatorportion of the closure being tilted toward an upright position when theclosure is moved in a direction to separate it from the container andthe said pin upon being so tilted serving to break the said indicatorportion.

39. In combination, a closure adapted to normally close a containeropening and having a recess therein for normally holding a tiltable pinin inclined position, an externally visible readily breakable indicatormember adapted to at least partly cover the closure to prevent removalthereof while the indicator member is in place and unbroken, meansadapted to normally prevent outward movement of the indicator memberrelatively to the closure while permitting relative rotative movement,and a tiltable pin normally in an inclined position in the said recessin the closure and normally engaged by the indicator member, the saidpin permitting free rotation of the indicator member relatively to theclosure in the tightening direction and the said pin by reason of itsengagement with the indicator member being tilted toward an uprightposition to break the said member when it is turned in the oppositedirection.

40. In combination, a closure adapted to normally close a containeropening and having a recess therein for normally holding a tiltable pinin inclined position, an externally visible readily breakable indicatormember having threads for normally holding it in place, the saidindicator member being adapted to at least partly cover the closure toprevent removal thereof while the indicator member is in place andunbroken, and a tiltable pin normally in an inclined position in therecess in the closure and normally engaged by the indicator member, thesaid pin permitting free rotation of the indicator member in thetightening direction and the said pin by reason of its engagement withthe indicator member being tilted toward an upright position to breakthe indicator member when the said member is turned in the unscrewingdirection.

41. Arprimary container closure adapted to normally close a containeropening and adapted for use in conjunction with a preformed outerindicator member having a readily breakable integral portion at the top,the said primary closure being provided at the top with a V-shapedrecess adapted to receive and hold a tiltable pin for breaking thereadily breakable top portion of the indicator member.

BENJAMIN F. CONNER. WILLIAM F. SCHMALZ.

